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5 Ingredient Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies – vegan, gluten free, so easy, and so delicious. Sounds too good to be true, right? These cookies are made with creamy almond butter and blended together with dates. Then they’re baked up to create a sweet, chewy, almond butter cookie that everyone just loves. A drizzle of chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt makes perfection in every chewy bite. They’re a little like magic, such an awesome surprise!
Did I think they’d turn out when I started making them? I had high hopes, but honestly I wasn’t that sure. I mean, 5 ingredients, no processed sugar, no egg? It seemed like a recipe for disaster, but dates are a very unique ingredient and they really pull through in these cookies. Just like that little intro above says, these really are a bit like magic.
The two pickiest critics in the family, Asher and my mom, loved these. Especially my mom. Chewy, sweet, and heavy on the chocolate. My mom is a no sugar, dessert lover, which doesn’t always go hand-in-hand, but with these cookies, it does.
In terms of desserts, making them wholesome can be tricky. But there are a handful of ingredients I always turn to when I’m looking to experiment. Nuts butters always add flavor, they’re creaminess is delicious when baked into sweets.
But dates are something that really don’t get enough credit. They’re nature’s candy. Naturally sweet, naturally chewy, and completely on their own delicious.
I’ve used dates before to sweeten and bind recipes so I was hoping they’d do the same for these cookies. And they did not disappoint!
The details
The process couldn’t be simpler, but you do need a food processor or blender to make these. I’d recommend a food processor over a blender. It will give your cookies a better texture.
Take the almond butter, the dates, the vanilla, and baking soda and add everything to the food processor. Blend until the dates are super finely ground. If the mix is a little crumbly, add a splash or so of water until the dough can form a ball in your first. I usually use about 2-3 tablespoons, but it can vary depended on how plump your dates are.
Roll the dough into balls, then gently flatten them down with your hand. I love to create a cross hatch patter on top with a fork.
When the cookies come out of the oven, let them cool on the pan. Then, I’d recommend placing them in the freezer to make dipping easier.
Once they’re cold, dip or drizzle each cookie with chocolate.
Great for anyone looking for a gluten-free cookie, but also just delicious for everyone involved.
Don’t be skeptical promise, it’s going to be great.
Looking for other healthier dessert recipes? Here are my favorites:
5 Ingredient Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies
Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies
Healthy…ish Homemade Samoas Cookies
Tahini Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Salted Tahini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Lastly, if you make these 5 Ingredient Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
5 Ingredient Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies
Servings: 16 cookies
Calories Per Serving: 194 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy almond butter
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 8 ounces melted dark chocolate
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. In a food processor, combine the almond butter, dates, vanilla, and baking soda. Pulse until combined and until no large chunks of dates remain. If the dough is dry, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to moisten. 3. Roll the dough into 16-17 balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, gently flatten with your hand. Using a fork, press down on each dough ball to create a crosshatch pattern. Bake for 9-10 minutes. 4. Remove the cookies from the oven and let cool. To make dipping easier, freeze the cookies for 10-15 minutes. Then drizzle or dip the cookies in chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt. Eat, or let the chocolate harden. Store in a cool place or the fridge.
I wish people would wait to review a recipe until they’ve actually tried it. Normally I love everything you post, but this recipe was a waste of very expensive ingredients. Crumbly and dry, even after adding some water. I tried to salvage the 2nd batch by adding an egg (to hold it together and add moisture). They were much better, but still fairly tasteless and dry.
Hi Kelley,
Sorry to hear the recipe was not enjoyed, thanks for making it. xTieghan
Kelley, I’m sorry to tell you but I think you made them wrong. When you measured the dates did you squish them into the measuring cup? I bet you didn’t use enough dates. It’s the glue of the cookie and definitely NOT tasteless. Try measuring accurately when making baked goods.
These are yummy and very easy. Only problem I had was they crumbled easily. Not sure if I needed different almond butter. Or more water to mix?
Hey Holly,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try!! These are a crumbly cookie, but yes you can add some more water too. xTieghan
Just made these for a friend at work who is gluten free. She is always missing out on treats make for the others. These are delicious so I hope she likes them.
Hey Julie,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xTieghan
I love this recipe even though I messed up, my vitamix could not blend it smooth …..so it was chunky dates but still good, I had to add oats to absorb the almond butter since my blender couldn’t mix it in. Still delicious.
What is the food processor you use? I’d like to try this recipe how it’s suppose to be.
Please have more recipe that’s easy like this! Vegan, gf, diary free:)
Hey Phuong,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! I use a Cuisinart food processor. xTieghan
Super easy and everyone (including kids!) love them.
Hey Marcy,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
Made these the day the recipe was posted and they disappeared much too quickly! Delicious and so simple, I know I’m going to make these again (probably many times!) When I was combining the ingredients in the food processor, I really felt like I wasn’t making any progress with them until I added the suggested 2 Tbsps of water. They turned out so well and I’ve already sent the recipe to two friends 🙂
Hey Elizabeth,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
Hello! I’m curious what is your preferred brand of dark melting chocolate?
Hey Doug,
I like using Chocolove, Hu, or Lindt bars. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Delicious and perfect for someone who is GF and DF! Added two tablespoons water at your recommendation. Also added 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 egg and 1/2 cup of Enjoy mini chocolate chips (instead of drizzling or dipping in chocolate). New favorite “cookie” recipe.
Hey Alexis,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
I honestly can’t believe how well these turned out, so delicious! As Tieghan suggested, I added a few tablespoons of water to get the dough gooey enough to press fork lines into — the dates I used were a little bit on the older and drier side. I see myself making these a lot in the future — they taste indulgent but are full of good energy. Thank you so much, Tieghan!
Hey Vanessa,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
Hard to find a good GF cookie that’s chewy and chocolatey!!! Salt adds a perfect balance. They are healthy with no sugar crash! I did add one tablespoon of Dutch Cocoa and they still turned out well. Great Cookie!! My new Fav!
Hey Elaine,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
They are amazing. So simple and delicious! Hard to find a good GF cookie that’s chewy and chocolatey!!! Salt adds a perfect balance. They are healthy with no sugar crash! I did add one tablespoon of Dutch Cocoa and they still turned out well. Great Cookie!! My new Fav!
Hey Elaine,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
Just made these! They are amazing. So simple and delicious! Hard to find a good GF cookie that’s chewy and chocolatey!!! Salt adds a perfect balance. They are healthy with no sugar crash! I did add one tablespoon of Dutch Cocoa and they still turned out well. Great Cookie!! My new Fav!
Hey Elaine,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
Is this an improved/updated version of your peanut butter cookies or are they separate due to the different nut butters? Essentially can I swap any nut butter in the recipes or does the recipe only work with the nut butter listed? Thanks!!
Hey Stefanie,
You can totally use any other nut butter that you enjoy! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
I am a clinical dietitian and am excited for this recipe to recommend for my patients! These cookies are wonderfully dense in protein and fiber and my kids (2&5) loved helping me make these and absolutely loved them. They said they preferred them to traditional chocolate chip cookies. Thank you for all your great recipes
Hey Kelsey,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT
When i decided to start a plant based diet in 2022 I knew I would miss my sweets… but not anymore! These were amazing! Chewy, just the right amount of sweet and the hint of salt flake took them over the top. Love, love, love them. ❤️
Hey Sue,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT